UN alarmed after ordered out of Ukraine’s LuhanskSeptember 25, 2015 - 11:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN humanitarian aid chief has expressed alarm after UN agencies were ordered out of rebel-held parts of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, BBC News reports. Stephen O'Brien said the agencies had been told to leave by Friday, September 25 and several international non-governmental organisations (NGO) by Saturday. The Luhansk separatists had earlier banned 10 international humanitarian agencies citing "violations". In a statement, O'Brien said the "de facto authorities" in Luhansk had ordered the UN agencies and NGOs to leave the area. He also said all UN agency operations had been suspended in the rebel-held parts of Donetsk. O'Brien urged the separatists in "both Luhansk and Donetsk to ensure the immediate resumption of UN and international NGO activities". He warned that restrictions on humanitarian shipments had prevented delivery of some 16,000 tons of vital supplies. "Hospitals cannot perform surgery because they lack anaesthesia. Some 150,000 people are not receiving monthly food distributions," Mr O'Brien said. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |